We made it to our room, and the second the door clicked shut, I spun on him.

"What the hell, Roman?"

He blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Can I at least know my crime before the execution?"

"Dean found your name on a VIP guest list for an elite escort service," I hissed.

That got a reaction. His eyebrows shot up. "How did he get access? That site is supposed to be impenetrable."

"He saw that you canceled your membership just two days before we got here. Right after your last 'order'." The word felt like a battery on my tongue.

Roman’s forehead creased. "That’s serious. I’ll contact the administrators, but... what about Dean? Has he told Chloe?"

"He hasn't. I handled it." I sat on the bed, crossing my arms. "I told him I was aware of it. That we use the service together. A little... spice for our relationship."

The silence that followed was heavy enough to crush a building. Roman stared at me as if I’d just confessed to a heist. "You told him... it was our 'thing'?"

"I had to! It was the only way to make him drop it. Now he thinks we’re some kind of adventurous power couple instead of a scandal waiting to happen."

Roman managed a dry chuckle. "And he bought it?"

"Hook, line, and sinker. He actually looked at me with respect—well, a sleazy version of it. He even invited me for a private 'hangout'."

Roman’s face darkened instantly, his expression turning to stone. "And you said?"

"I told him you’re possessive. That you don't like me close to other men."

A grin ghosted across his lips. "Good girl." He reached out, almost instinctively patting my head, before pulling back with a humorless laugh. "You're unbelievable, Sav. So now the weasel thinks we engage in... what? High-end role-play? Group dynamics?"

I shrugged, trying to hide the flush creeping up my neck. "I told him the real fun is in the variety. I might have mentioned something about... submission."

Roman’s voice dipped, turning rough and low. "Submission? You're playing with fire there, Savannah."

"Fire is the only thing keeping us warm in this house," I shot back.

We stared at each other, the air between us thick with things we weren't saying. Need, defiance, and a strange, grudging admiration hummed between us. My heart was pounding, and I wondered how I’d ever managed to convince myself I wasn't attracted to this man for five years.

"Earth to Roman," I said, snapping my fingers to break the trance.

He shook his head, leaning forward with a sharp focus. "Alright. If Dean is going to run his mouth, we need to make sure he only says what we want him to say. We control the narrative now."

My lips curved. "Now you’re speaking my language. What’s the plan?"